Kyle Gibson allowed just two hits after the first inning against the Royals (photo/MLB)

Kyle Gibson allowed just two hits after the first inning against the Royals (photo/MLB)

Former Mizzou pitcher Kyle Gibson, now in his third season with the team that drafted him in the first round, 22nd overall in 2009, was just nine pitches into his start against the Royals and was down 4-0.  His manager Paul Molitor said he was one more pitch away from having his night end, but Gibson rebounded after that shaky first to keep his team in the ball game.  The Royals prevailed 4-2, but Gibson drew high praise from Royals’ manager Ned Yost.

The sequence of pitches played out like this in the first inning:

1:  Single by Ben Zobrist
2:  Single by Alex Gordon
3:  Ball to Lorenzo Cain
4:  Ball to Lorenzo Cain
5:  Ball to Lorenzo Cain
6:  Ball to Lorenzo Cain
7:  Foul ball by Eric Hosmer
8:  Double by Hosmer, three runs scored
9:  Double by Kendrys Morales, Hosmer scores.

Mike Moustakas walked and Morales went to third on a fly out.  If not for a double play by Alex Rios, Gibson’s night was sure to be over.

After that first inning, Gibson went on to pitch a complete game and finish off the eight innings, allowing just two hits to Gordon and no walks while striking out four.

Hear from Yost, Molitor and Gibson